Authors A-E 2015

Award-Winning Author

Award-winning novelist Suzanne Adair is a Florida native who lives in a two hundred-year-old city at the edge of the North Carolina Piedmont, named for an English explorer who was beheaded. Her suspense and thrillers transport readers to the Southern theater of the Revolutionary War, where she brings historic towns, battles, and people to life. She fuels her creativity with Revolutionary War reenacting and visits to historic sites. When she’s not writing, she enjoys cooking, dancing, hiking, and spending time with her family.

Award-Winning Author

I have worked as a professional dancer, singer, journalist, literature teacher (both as adjunct at the university level and as middle school teacher), and novelist (and not necessarily in that order. I like variety). My career began circa age thirteen with a very juvenile science fiction short story, but the writing bug hit, and I have been writing, in one capacity or another, ever since. I have a Masters in English literature, specializing in medieval romances. A lover of all things medieval, I became a speaker of many tongues—literally. My fluency expands from English to Spanish, French, and Italian; I have a smattering of German now, since I haven’t practiced it in years (and I won’t say how many), can read Latin, middle English and old French. The latter helped me trudge through the manuscripts I read for my Masters. Cuban by birth, and American by choice, I have lived in many countries as well, including France, where I set my first novel. Writing full-time now, I am finishing the follow-up to The Coin and have several other books in the “burner.” I am currently an active member of the Carolina Romance Writers in Charlotte.

I love to hear from my readers, loves to read their reviews, and loves to read, period.

My first novel, The Coin, is a romantic thriller that Kirkus Indie Reviews has categorized as a “suspenseful, sexy romantic thriller.” The novel can be summed up in these few words: WHO EVER THOUGHT A COIN COULD GET YOU KILLED? A cunning killer trusted his secret was safe, an innocent woman holds the key to his destruction, and an intelligence officer must keep her alive before the madman can strike the fatal blow.

Awards Won:

Bob Anderson is an artist, author, architect, and an amateur wildlife conservationist. For the past 2 years he has been the artist-in-residence with Osa Conservation, a conservation research and educational organization that focuses on the rainforests of the Osa Peninsula on the south Pacific coast of Costa Rica.

His most recent book, Costa Rica – A Little Rhino Coloring Book, is the result of his experiences in one of the most bio-diverse places on earth. Although this book is called a “coloring book”, it is not a coloring book in the traditional sense, although the pen and ink, etching-like drawings can be colored, it is really an art book, a nature book, and a totally unique educational book. The book has been designed in a bi-lingual format with Spanish text placed adjacent to the English text, while it teaches conservation, natural science, and geography. This is the fourth book, written and illustrated by Bob Anderson, to go into publication.

Bob was the best-selling author at Book ‘Em Virginia 2005 held in Waynesboro, Virginia.

Award-Winning Author

Carole Bellacera is the author of seven novels of women’s fiction. Her latest novel, INCENSE & PEPPERMINTS, the story of a combat nurse in Vietnam, is available in print, audio and e-book format. Carole’s first novel, Border Crossings, a hardcover published by Forge Books in May of 1999, was a 2000 RITA Award nominee for Best Romantic Suspense and Best First Book, a nominee for the 2000 Virginia Literary Award in Fiction. It was also a 2000 finalist in the Golden Quill award and in the Aspen Gold Award and won 1st Place in the Volusia County 2000 Laurel Wreath Award. Her short fiction and non-fiction has appeared in magazines such as Woman’s World, The Star, Endless Vacation and The Washington Post. In addition, her work has appeared in various anthologies such as Kay Allenbaugh’s Chocolate for a Woman’s Heart, Chocolate for a Couples’ Heart andChicken Soup for Couples. www.carolebellacera.com.

Awards Won:

BORDER CROSSINGS: Finalist in the 1999 Golden Quill Award, Finalist in RWA’s 1999 RITA for Best Romantic Suspense, Finalist in RWA’s 1999 RITA for Best First Book, 2000 Nominee for the Virginia Literary Award in Fiction, 2000 Aspen Gold Finalist in Single Title, 1st Place Winner of the 2000 Laurel Wreath Award, Long Contemporary, 2000 Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Nominee for Best Contemporary Novel, 2000 RIO Nominee in the Dorothy Parker Award for Excellence in Fiction (Best Missed Gem), 3rd Place, Heart Rate Reviews’ Best of the Best Reviewer’s Choice Award, Best Contemporary Romane of 2000

Speaker, ghostwriter, blogger, Certified Lifewriting Instructor and author of Eyelash,Never Say Perfect, 7 Easy Steps to Memoir Writing and From Italy with Love & Limoncello and Write Your Pet’s Life Story in 7 Easy Steps!, Mary Anne Benedetto’s passions include helping people capture and preserve their life stories, creating Christian fiction, world travel and walking the spectacular South Carolina beaches. Please visit her at www.awriterspresence.com, www.maryannebenedetto.blogspot.com, www.abookfeast4u.blogspot.com and www.4womenwholove2travel.blogspot.com. Founder of Beach Author Network, independently and traditionally published South Carolina coast authors, who convene to discuss marketing, promotion, community events.

Alvin Bess

A thorough and honest account of my life and of my retarders and how I succeeded despite them, this book (Undaunted Black Male) is designed to serve as a guidebook or a handbook for individuals, young and old, male or female, Black, White, Hispanic, Native American, Indian, or Asian, during their undaunted and necessary travel through the underbrush of firm selective retarders and chameleon scarecrows. Available at amazon,Undaunted Black Male will soon be revised into a School Edition.

Sandy Bruney loves to read and write about real women and their problems, their strengths, their friendships. Her heroines could be your contemporaries, or their story could take place a century ago or even in a parallel universe. No matter where you find them, they reflect the challenges, triumphs and loves of every woman of any age.

Dr. Patrice J. Carter resides in Fayetteville, NC with the love of her life, Dalton and son Miles. She is a Motivational Speaker, Christian Life Coach, Author and Small Business Coach.

Dr. Carter is also a Licensed Minister and Founder of Speak to the World Ministries (STTWM) in partnership with her husband, Evangelist Dalton J. Carter.

Dr. Carter motivates, encourages and empowers men and women through her speaking engagements. Her speaking has been described as “life changing and empowering.”

As a Christian Life Coach, Dr. Carter coaches her clients towards their destiny using her book, SUPERb Woman: From Bad Girl to God’s Girl, as well as her experiences and insight.Her coaching is tailored towards individuals, groups and business owners and her goal is to coach them towards breakthrough and success in all areas of their life.

As an Author, Dr. Carter completed her first book, in 2010, entitled, SUPERb Woman: From Bad Girl to God’s Girl a devotional and self-guided journey that focuses on worthiness and self-esteem; and a deconstructed view of the Proverbs 31 woman for women of all ages.

As a Small Business Consultant, Dr. Carter specializes in business coaching, training and professional development.She has 26 years of combined experience in the areas of Business, Military and Healthcare and holds: PhD in Organization and Management, Capella University, M.B.A, Webster University and, M.S.A. in Healthcare Administration, Central Michigan University.

Cindy Cipriano

The Circle
Calum Ranson is sure of three things: his cousin Finley is alive, Calum will find him, and no one knows Calum and his family are Sidhe. No one until Laurel shows up at his mother’s bookstore wearing a dark clan’s mark. When Calum learns the details surrounding the disappearance of Laurel’s brother, he suspects the evil Hobayeth clan. Calum and Laurel work together in the Realm of Man and the Otherworld to rescue her brother – revealing a connection between Calum and Laurel that may cost Finley his life.

The Lost
Calum, Laurel and Hagen reunite in their search for Finley. Going against everything Calum knows is right, he gives Laurel Sidhe Talents which causes her father to forbid her to see Calum. An old friend, Kira steps in to take Laurel’s place, but Calum questions her motivation. Ultimately, Finley must make his own decision; to be rescued or save another lost Sidhe.

Succeeding While Black draws attention to and provides solutions for many of the issues facing African-Americans. Many young African-American men will find themselves in prison, in gangs, and on the streets without opportunities to succeed. African-American children still trail behind other ethnicities in almost every academic statistical category in America. By sharing his own story and personal struggles, author Matt Dayton debunks the myth of a challenging early life inevitably resulting in failure, and candidly shares his journey of changed focus and better decisions. Drawing on a lifetime of mentoring and leadership, Matt provides the building blocks to success—from appearance to attitude—in an accessible voice that will appeal to all readers. If you are working with African-American youth, this book is a must-have.

Sergeant Major (Retired) Matt Drayton is a decorated Army veteran who has led and mentored hundreds of men and women. Matt is the owner of Drayton Communications, a corporate speaker, consultant, and leadership expert with over 33 years’ experience in government and commercial commerce. Matt has worked as a Senior Department of Defense Civilian, an Analyst for the Northrup Grumman Corporation, and as a Broadcaster and Radio Station manager. Matt is a member of the National Speakers Association.

Lynda Durrant

Award-Winning Author

Lynda Durrant’s love of history launched her career as a writer of historic fiction novels for children. She’s written about Indian captives, a petticoat soldier, Johnny Appleseed, the Shakers, and many more. Lynda Durrant writes about real young people who lived in American history.

Ariel Bradley, Spy for General Washington, is based upon a true story. When Ariel Bradley was nine years old, he spied upon British troops just prior to the 1776 Battle of Great Plains. His heroism helped the Americans win this important battle, the first win for the Americans in the Revolutionary War.

Betsy Zane, the Rose of Fort Henry is about the great-aunt of writer Zane Grey. Betsy made an historic run for the gunpowder during the Battle of Fort Henry, in what is now Wheeling, West Virginia. This last battle of the Revolutionary War was won in part by Betsy Zane, 14-year-old heroine of the American Revolution.

Echohawk is based upon an Indian captive in the Hudson River Valley in the 1740’s. Jonathan Starr is a Mohican now, but his memories of his lost family draw him to a shattering conclusion about family, trust, and the bonds that connect us.

Her books have garnered starred reviews fromKirkus Reviews and Booklist.

Awards Won:

American Library Association

Parents Choice Magazine

Bloomer Award

International Reading Association

Jane Edwards

Award-Winning Author

Jelly Bean Finds Her Special Place is the true story of a lamb named Jelly Bean who was abandoned at birth by her mother. Two neighbors, Jane Edwards and Renee’ Pappas, stepped up to nurture this lamb both physically and emotionally.
As Jelly Bean grew, she faced many changes in her life. She began a journey to find her special place in the world. The young reader can follow this lamb’s journey with actual photographs of Jelly Bean while searching for hidden jelly bean candy on each page.

Jelly Bean Finds Her Special Place is a story of love, hope and encouragement. Her message is that there is a special place for each of us, even a lamb.

Darlene Eichler been writing for the past eight years under the pen names Nan Turner and Darlene Eichler. After she was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease she found herself not sleeping at night. As a teacher/librarian she had always wanted to write. Now was her chance. Her first book was an autobiographical, cathartic exercise to help with getting on with life after a divorce.

The “Rose Series” came after that, a story of a little Melungeon girl who grows up in the 1950s and 60s in Virginia. After that the “Lily Series” began. Trunk Tales is a memoir of spending the summers with her great grandmother on a tobacco farm in Virginia. “Satan’s Best Friend” is about the making of a cult leader.

“Where’s the Kitty” is her first children’s book and came out May 24, 2013 It has been well received….the illustrations are exceptional. This has been an enjoyable journey for her and “Where’s The Kitty” will be, hopefully, the first of several children’s books.